LilSugar

Shutterbug: 15 Family Photos to Take This Year, and One to Skip

LilSugar — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:08:22 PST

Time flies while you're watching your children grow, and photos offer the only known window to the past. Digital cameras mean more pictures without film cost restrictions so more parents are playing shutterbug - posing newborns for precious pics and tackling toddlers for a quick capture. Instead of taking thousands of snapshots for your Facebook or family blog, do your family a favor and aim to capture the most standout moments and leave the rest to your memory. Here are the 15 photos you should make sure to take this and every year, and one terrifying scene you can delete from the pose list.

Photos copyright 2010, ABC, Inc.

Shutterbug: 10 Summer Photos to Take of Your Kids

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 05:34:27 PDT

The lazy, hazy days of Summer are filled with family time and new experiences. Whether you're staying put for the season or venturing to cooler climates, it's the perfect opportunity to capture your family in some memorable moments. With digital cameras stashed in our bags and around our necks, mamas are always ready to get the shot – posing newborns for precious pics and tackling toddlers for a quick capture. If you're looking to chronicle your lil ones' Summer adventures, check out our list of must-take photos; both you and the kids will appreciate them for years to come!

Do You Want Your Kids to Attend Your Alma Mater?

LilSugar — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 09:17:46 PDT

This year's March Madness has been extra mad, and this weekend brings us to the final four. Watching the series with your family is a ripe time for reminiscing your college years and experiences at your alma mater. Do you hope your children will attend your school of choice, or are you completely open to whatever colors they decide to don?

StoryCorps Records Poignant Conversations Between Loved Ones

Heather Maddan — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 04:30:35 PDT

A conversation between parent and child can be incredibly powerful. StoryCorps is a program that records exchanges so society can benefit from them. It's not hard to be moved by one such interview between 12-year-old Joshua Littman (who has Asperger's syndrome) and his mother, Sarah Littman. It was taped five years ago and garnered national attention, but as budget cuts threaten the organization's existence, the interview has be brought back into the spotlight.

In a post on the StoryCorp website, Sarah Littman wrote:

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to eliminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). No federal funding for CPB might mean the end of StoryCorps, which for me would be a deeply personal tragedy. StoryCorps is the national public broadcasting project that gives everyday Americans the chance to record a forty minute oral history interview with a loved one. A copy of each interview is archived at the Library of Congress so our great-great grandchildren can get to know us through our voice and story. CPB is StoryCorps’ primary funder.

Would you take part in this project? Who is the person you would choose and why?

Should Chinese Parents Be Compensated For Loss of Only Children?

Heather Maddan — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 20:57:23 PDT

Being predeceased by your child is incredibly painful for any parent, but an official said that loss is exacerbated if the mother and father have a sole offspring. This is the case for the families of the Chinese exchange students who died during the New Zealand earthquake last month. An Associated Press report said:

Chinese Embassy official Cheng Lei said Monday that Chinese quake victims had lost not just their only child, but also a future breadwinner.

He said New Zealand should consider providing additional financial assistance to those families.

"You can expect how lonely, how desperate they are ... not only from losing loved ones, but losing almost entirely the major source of economic assistance after retirement," Cheng told Radio New Zealand.

What's your opinion?

Should Parents Be the Ones to Announce Baby's Debut to Other Children?

Heather Maddan — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 04:00:12 PDT

It's a boy or it's a girl, but who should tell the new addition's siblings? If mom and dad are in the midst of all the new baby bliss and hospital (or home birth) hoopla, is it the job of an outside party - a grandparent or family friend - to inform the big brother or sister? Some parents are particular in how they want to debut the news and others just believe in letting the information spread. What's your opinion?

Do You Limit PDA in Front of the Kids?

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:00:03 PST

It's one thing to give your loved one kisses hello and goodbye each day, but another to turn them into full-on movie-style embraces. Couples trying to recapture some of their pre-children friskiness often find themselves facing embarrassed tots when they hug, kiss, or give each other a pat on the rear – and I'm not even talking about instances when the kids walk in on them.

While some couples try to keep their love life hidden behind closed doors, others are happy to showcase it for the world – including their children – to see. LilSugar readers have made it clear that they see nothing wrong with walking around in the buff in front of their kids, but how much PDA do you engage in when they are present?

5 Ways to Save the Candid Things Your Children Say

Heather Maddan — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 03:00:40 PST

Incredible things come out of the mouths of babes, but it's hard to keep track of all the tidbits your tot says - especially if you are mother to many. Some people write the anecdotes down, and others just commit them to memory by repeating them to anyone who will listen, but I've come up with a few easy ways to keep a record of these utterances.

Frame it! Take your favorite picture of your child and frame it. While a black and white photograph works best, anything will do. Use a dry erase marker to scribble the latest saying across the top or bottom of the glass and it becomes an ever changing work of art. If you have more than one kiddo, create a wall of quotes.
Stencil it! Looking for design inspiration? Fill the walls of your child's room by penning, painting, or stenciling them with the family-famous sayings.
Journal it! Fill the pages of a leather-bound journal with all the wonderful things that come out of your child's mouth. Then take the time to read through them every so often.
Facebook it! Share your youngster's musings with family and friends via Facebook so everyone can appreciate your wee one's wit.
Twitter it! Since tweets are 140 characters or less, a private account is an excellent way to technologically chronicle your offspring's thoughts.

5 Tips For Great Postpartum Sex

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 06:00:00 PST

It's time to get back in bed! Though 54 percent of LilSugar mothers said they had sex on or before they were six weeks postpartum, the prospect of getting back in the sack has many new moms running for cover. Sex therapist and GoodinBed.com contributor Dr. Ian Kerner says, "It’s important to jump right back in the saddle, but to be prepared before you hop on." Here are Dr. Kerner's tips for your first post-baby romp!

Adam Sandler Jokes About His Girls Enjoying the Good Life

LilSugar — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:33:10 PST

One of our favorite fathers, funny man Adam Sandler had quite the conversation with David Letterman last night about the privileged way he's raising his kids. The actor is dad to daughters Sadie, 4, and Sunny, 2, the darling duo who stole the show and the microphone as the comedian received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame recently. Check out this hilarious clip.